Now on ScienceBlogs: The Galaxy's Biggest Valentine
An irregular exploration of the struggle between the power of rational discourse and the scientific method on one hand, and the forces of superstition and dogma on the other. Mostly regarding climate change, though.
James Hrynyshyn is a freelance science journalist and communications consultant based in western North Carolina, where he tries to put degrees in marine biology and journalism to good use.
The Demon-Haunted World:
Science as a Candle
in the Dark,
by Carl Sagan
(A
review)
The Doubter's Companion:
by John Ralston Saul (Excerpts)
Skeptic Magazine: www.skeptic.com
Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal: www.csicop.org
A poem by Yehuda Amichai:
The
Place
Where We Are Right
The Meaning of the
Island of Doubt
By doubting we come to inquiry; and through inquiry we perceive truth.
--- Peter Abelard
Undisguised clarity is easily mistaken for arrogance.
-- Richard Dawkins
As for evolution, it happened. Deal with it.
-- Michael Shermer.
"There is no need to sally forth, for it remains true that those things
which make us human are, curiously enough, always close at hand.
Resolve, then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving, and
tiny blasts of tinny trumpets, we have met the enemy, and not only may
he be ours, he may be us."
--Walt Kelly
September 27, 2007
Category: climate
I would think that after 40 years of research, if you haven't changed your mind at least once on something significant, you're missing the point of science.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 6:11 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: climate
It appears that at least on the subject of melting permafrost, things might not be so bad after all.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 8:37 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: humor
Perhaps it isn't fair to make fun of the social sciences, and I know behavioral ecology has its merits, but can you believe people get paid to study how men and women hook up? From New Scientist we learn that:...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 8:26 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
September 26, 2007
Category: technology
A hybrid pedal-electric bike....
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 2:25 PM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
September 25, 2007
Category: biology
From the "everything you thought you knew about X is wrong" files: an exposé on exercise. Seems there really is no evidence that working out or running hard will help you lose weight. Instead, it all comes down to diet....
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:47 AM • 15 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
September 21, 2007
Category: humor
Wal-Mart scares me on the best of days, but not quite like this. Seems there was a two-year-old who "had a fit" when he came across a Wal-Mart Halloween display that came to life before his innocent little eyes:...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 8:46 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
September 20, 2007
Category: politics
"There are the Big Science Secularists (who sometimes have a creepily cocksure, pre-postmodern, faith in the possibilities of reason)."
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 9:44 AM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: religiosity
We'll never know what role, if any, the mockery of the New Atheists had in the decision taken yesterday by the Toronto Catholic District School Board to let the girls in their charge get the HPV vaccine. But for once,...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 6:34 AM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
September 19, 2007
Category: climate
We should be pouring every last spare dime into clean energy research. And don't tell me we don't have enough money.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 12:33 PM • 8 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
September 18, 2007
Category: climate
The best line from the Emmy's on Sunday night was Stephen Colbert, replying to Jon Stewart's suggestion that award ceremonies might bewasteful and bad for the environment:...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 1:18 PM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
